Mutant dwarfism allele of cleome

ABSTRACT

This present invention relates to a dwarf cleome plant, seed, variety and hybrid. More specifically, the invention relates to a cleome plant having a mutant allele for dwarfism, which results in the reduced plant size. The invention also relates to crossing inbreds, varieties and hybrids containing the dwarf allele to produce novel types and varieties of dwarf cleome plants for ornamental purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a novel dwarfism allele ofcleome, which results in a reduction in plant size. This presentinvention also relates to a cleome seed, a cleome plant, a cleomevariety and a cleome hybrid, which contain the dwarfism allele. Inaddition, the present invention is directed to transferring the dwarfismallele in the cleome plant to other cleome varieties and species and isuseful for producing novel types and varieties of dwarf cleome.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Cleome of the family Capparidaceae, is composed of approximately200 species of annual or perennial herbs and sub shrubs. One annualspecies, Cleome hasslerana, has been cultivated as a garden and borderplant. Only a few varieties of cleome are available commercially,including ‘Helen Campbell’, ‘White Queen’, ‘Pink Queen’, ‘Rose Queen’,‘Cherry Queen’ and ‘Violet Queen’. With the exception of flower color,these varieties are very similar in appearance and performance, growingas frost-tender annuals to a height of approximately five feet. To date,no other plant form of Cleome hasslerana has been available and there isno known dwarfism in any cultivars of Cleome. A dwarf form of cleomewould be particularly desirable to the commercial greenhouse trade aswell as to commercial landscape and home gardeners.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to a cleome seed, a cleome plant, acleome variety, a cleome hybrid, and a method for producing a cleomeplant.

[0004] More specifically, the invention relates to a dwarfism allele,which produces a cleome plant that is reduced in size.

[0005] In one aspect of the invention, under greenhouse production, thedwarf cleome of the present invention can be grown in a smallercontainer and under a higher bench density than the standard form. Inanother aspect the dwarf cleome of the present invention can be shippedin flower at a much reduced height and size, allowing higher shippingdensity and reduced cost per unit. Shipping and sale in flower increasesunit value. In another aspect of this invention the dwarf cleometranslates into higher display density and greater visual appeal,increasing per unit value for the retailer. The consumer is offered anovel and more appealing product at the point of sale, which is moreeasily transported and has a wider utility in the home landscape. In thegarden, the dwarf form of the present invention, with it's compactgrowth habit and compressed flower canopy, offers a plant with a broaderrange of uses and greater color impact.

[0006] The genetic factor of the present invention which is capable oftransmitting the plant size reduction has been determined to be a mutantsingle recessive allele, which has been designated “H35”. It is afeature of the present invention that this single mutant allele H35 maybe used in and transferred to different cleome varieties and to othercleome species.

[0007] The present invention further relates to a method of producingthe disclosed cleome plants and seeds by crossing a dwarf cleome plantof the instant invention with another cleome plant. The invention alsorelates to the transfer of the genetic dwarfism into other cleomeplants.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] In order to provide an understanding of the terms used in thespecification and claims, the following definitions are provided:

[0009] Dwarf, dwarfism—means a plant possessing shortened internodes andreduced foliage size, resulting in a smaller than normal plant form.

[0010] Compact growth habit—means plants that are smaller than normal asa result of shortened internodes.

[0011] Mature—means 5-month-old field grown plants derived fromtransplanted plantlets. The plantlets are grown from seed in thegreenhouse for approximately 6 weeks prior to being transplanted.

[0012] Mature plant height—means the measurement in inches from the soilline to the uppermost tip of the plant. Mature plant height data wastaken on 5-month-old field grown plants.

[0013] Mature plant width—means the measurement in inches at thebroadest point of the plant. Data was taken on 5-month-old field grownplants.

[0014] Leaf length—means the distance in inches between the base of thepetiole and the tip of the primary leaflet. Leaf samples were taken fromtwo nodes below the first flower on 5-month-old field grown plants.

[0015] Leaf width index—means the sum of the length in inches of the twoleaflets adjacent to the primary leaflet. Leaf samples were taken fromtwo nodes below the first flower on 5-month-old field grown plants.

[0016] Plant height at first flower—means the total height of the plantin inches from the soil line to the first fully opened flower. Data wastaken on field grown plants.

[0017] Field conditions—means plants grown to maturity in an open field.Seeds are sown in the greenhouse and grown for approximately 6 weeks toproduce plantlets. These plantlets are then transplanted to the field onor about the average last day of frost for the specific field location.

[0018] The present invention relates to a novel plant-dwarfing allele inthe genus Cleome that is phenotypically expressed in the reduction inplant size. As the term is used herein, dwarf and dwarfism refer to acondition where in the plant and all its parts are reduced in size by asubstantial amount. Additionally, the plant parts, being smaller, have afiner texture and a more delicate appearance than those of standardcleome.

[0019] This present invention is directed to developing unique plants ofthe cleome species. The cleome of the present invention expresses asubstantial reduction in plant size. A transferable gene or allele thatconveys this dwarf characteristic has been isolated and incorporatedinto other genetic backgrounds. The dwarf allele of the instantinvention has also been expressed in different genetic backgrounds ofcleome. The present invention results in a mature plant height reductionof about 30% to about 50%, plant width reduction of about 20% to about40%, and reduction of plant height at first flower of about 40% to about60%, depending on the genetic background as shown in Tables 1-3. Todate, except for the present invention, there is no known dwarfism inany cultivars of Cleome.

[0020] It is standard practice in the industry to treat young plantsseveral times with chemical plant growth regulators (PGR) such as B-9(Alar), Cycocel or Bonzi to reduce internode length to obtain shorter,more compact plants. While this effect may appear somewhat similar tothat of the dwarfing allele, it is important to note that this effect istemporary and the plants will achieve their full height potential whenplanted out in the field and grown full season. Genetic dwarf lines willalso develop proportionately shorter and more compact plants followingtreatment with PGRs, resulting in plants even smaller than the samePGR-treated commercial varieties.

[0021] As used herein, the term plant includes plant cells, plantprotoplasts, plant cell tissue cultures from which cleome plants can beregenerated, plant calli, plant clumps and plant cells that are intactin plants or parts of plants, such as embryos, pollen, ovules, flowers,stems, leaves, roots, root tips, anthers, and the like.

EXAMPLES

[0022] The following examples are provided to further illustrate thepresent invention and are not intended to limit the invention beyond thelimitations set forth in the appended claims.

Example 1 Development of Mutant Dwarfism Allele H35

[0023] This previously unknown dwarfism characteristic arose from aninduced mutation project for the specific purpose of generatingdwarf-breeding material. On Feb. 12, 1992, commercial seeds of ‘RoseQueen’ were treated with the chemical mutagen nitroso-methyl urea (NMU).Following treatment, the seeds were sown under controlled greenhouseconditions and subsequently transplanted to a greenhouse.

[0024] In the first generation (M₁), the seedlings exhibited typicalsymptoms of mutation treatment: high percentages of seed mortality,retarded growth, yellowing, and distorted growth. Seed was gathered fromM₁ generation plants having the most visible phenotypic indications ofmutagen effects. The subsequent M₂ yielded twelve shorter individuals.Collateral residual effects of the original mutations (sterility andreduced fertility, chlorotic sectors, albinism, distorted growth andinstability) prevented most of these lines from being advanced. Oneline, CM8: F15-2, was stable for dwarfism and contained the H35 alleleof the present invention. Selections out of breeding crosses with CM8:F15-2 and their subsequent back crosses created the foundation for thedwarf cleome-breeding program.

[0025] The dwarf phenotype of the present invention generally segregatesas a simple recessive allele, yielding on average a 1 dwarf to 3 tall F₂segregation ratio from a (dwarf×tall) cross, and 1 dwarf to 1 tall ratiofrom a (dwarf×tall)×dwarf backcross. The degree of dwarfing variesslightly between different backgrounds as shown in Tables 1-5. Thedegree of dwarfing is also affected by heterosis as shown in the data ofthe inbreds vs. hybrids, in Tables 1-5.

Example 2 Dwarf Inbred Lines Developed Containing Mutant Dwarfism AlleleH35

[0026] The mutant allele H35 has been backcrossed into several differentgenetic backgrounds to produce a number of different inbreds includinginbreds 146-8, 159-12 and 169-2 which are described below.

[0027] Blush inbred CM8: F15-2 has a pedigree of:

[0028] H35-1-1-2-2 (also called H35)

[0029] A sample of ‘Rose Queen’ was mutated, selections wereself-pollinated, a dwarf individual H35 was selected and selfed 3additional generations. This was the original source of all subsequentdwarf lines having the H35 allele.

[0030] Dwarf rose inbred 146-8 was derived from the following pedigree:

[0031] H35-CoRed-H2.5-1-1-2-(8)

[0032] Original dwarf H35 was crossed with a tall rose inbred. The dwarftrait was recovered in the F2 generation, selfed 1 additionalgeneration, and then mass selected to improve other horticulturaltraits.

[0033] Dwarf lavender inbred 159-12 was derived from the pedigree:

[0034] [H35]-H2.5-2-1-1L-(8)-(12)

[0035] Original dwarf H35 was crossed with a tall lavender inbred andthen backcrossed to the dwarf. The dwarf trait was recovered in the F2generation and then selfed once and mass selected 2 additionalgenerations to improve other horticultural traits.

[0036] Dwarf purple inbred 169-2 was derived from the pedigree:

[0037] [400-H35-H2.5]-1-H35-1-2

[0038] Original dwarf H35 was crossed with a tall purple inbred and thencrossed again to another purple inbred. This cross was selfed once andbackcrossed to the dwarf and then selfed 2 additional generations toimprove other horticultural traits.

Example 3 Dwarf Hybrids Developed Containing Mutant Allele H35

[0039] The mutant allele H35 has been crossed into a number of differentgenetic backgrounds including the following hybrids:

[0040] White hybrid 4000-1 has the pedigree:

[0041]102-9×107-10=[H35]-I1.5-5-1-2-1-(6)-(9)×RQ-[H35]-L1.5-3-1-(4)-(10)

[0042] A testcross hybrid between two true-breeding dwarf inbreds.

[0043] Blush hybrid 4000-2 has the pedigree:

[0044]111-6×117-22=RQ-H2.5-[H35]-L1.5-1-1-(2)-(6)×H35-1-1-2-2-3-2L-(8)-(22)

[0045] A testcross hybrid between two true-breeding dwarf inbreds.

[0046] Rose hybrid 4000-4 has the pedigree:

[0047]146-8×149-8=H35-CoRed-H2.5-1-1-2-(8)×CoRed-H2.5-400-[H35]-3-1-3-(8)

[0048] A testcross hybrid between two true-breeding dwarf inbreds.

[0049] Lavender hybrid 4000-5 has the pedigree:

[0050]149-8×159-12=CoRed-H2.5-400-[H35]-3-1-3-(8)×[H35]-H2.5-2-1-1L-(8)-(12)

[0051] A testcross hybrid between two true-breeding dwarf inbreds.

Example 4 Effect of Dwarf Allele on Mature Plant Height, Width, andHeight at First Flower of Dwarf Inbred Lines (146-8, 159-12 and 169-2)and Dwarf Hybrids (4000-1, 4000-2, 4000-4, and 4000-5) as Compared toCommercial Variety ‘Rose Queen’ (RQ)

[0052] As shown in Tables 1-3, inbred lines derived from breedingcrosses between CM8:15-2 and different color backgrounds are representedin these tables by 146-8, 159-12 and 169-2. Hybrids between these andsimilar dwarf lines are represented in Tables 1-5 by 4000-1 White,4000-2 Blush, 4000-4 Rose and 4000-5 Lavender. ‘Rose Queen’ (RQ) is thefull-sized commercial comparison.

[0053] Field measurements were taken for plant height, width, and heightat first flower at maturity. Measurements were made on ten randomsamples taken from populations of the above lines.

[0054] Heights of the dwarf inbred lines ranged from 50-54% of thecommercial variety ‘Rose Queen’. Heights of the dwarf hybrids rangedfrom 61-69% of the commercial variety ‘Rose Queen’ as shown in Table 1.

[0055] Widths of the dwarf inbred lines ranged from 59-66% of thecommercial variety ‘Rose Queen’. Widths of the dwarf hybrid lines rangedfrom 73-80% of the commercial variety ‘Rose Queen’ as shown in Table 2.

[0056] Height at first flower of the dwarf inbred lines ranged from42-46% of the commercial variety ‘Rose Queen’. Height at first flower ofthe dwarf hybrid lines ranged from 49-62% of the commercial variety‘Rose Queen’ as shown in Table 3.

[0057] Differences in mature plant height and width, and height at firstflower between the inbreds and hybrids are the result of heterosis.

Example 5 Effect of Dwarf Allele on Mature Plant Leaf Length and Widthof Dwarf Inbred Lines (148-6, 159-12 and 169-2) and Dwarf Hybrids(4000-1, 4000-2, 4000-4, and 4000-5) as Compared to Commercial ‘RoseQueen” (RQ)

[0058] As shown in Tables 4 and 5, field measurements were taken forleaf length and width on ten random samples from populations of theabove lines. Leaf samples were taken from two nodes below the firstflower. Leaf length is defined as the distance between the base of thepetiole and the tip of the primary leaflet. Leaf width index is definedas the sum of the lengths of the two leaflets adjacent to the primaryleaflet.

[0059] Leaf length of the dwarf inbred lines ranged from 61-71% of thecommercial variety ‘Rose Queen’. Leaf length of the dwarf hybrid linesranged from 71-78% of the commercial variety ‘Rose Queen’ as shown inTable 4.

[0060] Leaf width index of the dwarf inbred lines ranged from 53-67% ofthe commercial variety ‘Rose Queen’. Leaf width index of the dwarfhybrid lines ranged from 62-68% of the commercial variety ‘Rose Queen’as shown in Table 5. TABLE 1 Cleome t-Tests - Mature Plant Heightt-Test: Two-Sample Assuming Unequal Variances - measurements in inchesRQ 146-8 RQ 159-12 RQ 169-2 RQ 4000-1 Mean 63.3 31.6 63.3 33.4 63.3 33.963.3 41.2 Variance 2.2 1.1 2.2 0.5 2.2 0.3 2.2 0.8 Observations 10 10 1010 10 10 10 10 Hypothesized Mean Difference 0 0 0 0 df 16 13 12 15 tStat 54.83 57.31 58.16 39.84 P(T <= t) two-tail 1.21E−19 5.13E−174.41E−16 1.24E−16 Average Height as a % of RQ 50 53 54 65 RQ 4000-2 RQ4000-4 RQ 4000-5 Mean 63.3 41.8 63.3 38.4 63.3 43.4 Variance 2.2 1.3 2.21.4 2.2 2.7 Observations 10 10 10 10 10 10 Hypothesized Mean Difference0 0 0 df 17 17 18 t Stat 36.23 41.44 28.30 P(T <= t) two-tail 1.55E−171.62E−18 2.24E−16 Average Height as a % of RQ 65 61 69

[0061] TABLE 2 Cleome t-Tests - Mature Plant Width t-Test: Two-SampleAssuming Unequal Variances - measurements in inches RQ 146-8 RQ 159-12RQ 169-2 RQ 4000-1 Mean 46.3 27.1 46.3 28.8 46.3 30.4 46.3 33.7 Variance37.3 1.2 37.3 0.6 37.3 0.9 37.3 0.9 Observations 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10Hypothesized Mean Difference 0 0 0 0 df 10 9 9 9 t Stat 9.78 8.98 8.136.44 P(T <= t) two-tail 1.95E−06 8.68E−06 1.95E−05 1.29E−04 AverageWidth as a % of RQ 59 62 66 73 RQ 4000-2 RQ 4000-4 RQ 4000-5 Mean 46.335.1 46.3 33.6 46.3 37.1 Variance 37.3 1.4 37.3 3.2 37.3 3.2Observations 10 10 10 10 10 10 Hypothesized Mean Difference 0 0 0 df 1011 11 t Stat 5.69 6.31 4.57 P(T <= t) two-tail 2.02E−04 5.75E−058.06E−04 Average Width as a % of RQ 76 73 80

[0062] TABLE 3 Cleome t-Tests - Leaf Width Index t-Test: Two-SampleAssuming Unequal Variances - measurements in inches RQ 146-8 RQ 159-12RQ 169-2 RQ 4000-1 Mean 6.0 4.0 6.0 3.3 6.0 3.2 6.0 3.9 Variance 0.3 0.10.3 0.1 0.3 0.0 0.3 0.0 Observations 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10Hypothesized Mean Difference 0 0 0 0 df 14 13 10 11 t Stat 10.05 13.7615.45 11.25 P(T <= t) two-tail 8.79E−08 3.98E−09 2.63E−08 2.25E−07Average Leaf Width as a % of 67 55 53 65 RQ RQ 4000-2 RQ 4000-4 RQ4000-5 Mean 6.0 3.7 6.0 3.9 6.0 4.1 Variance 0.3 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.3 0.0Observations 10 10 10 10 10 10 Hypothesized Mean Difference 0 0 0 df 912 10 t Stat 12.85 11.21 10.18 P(T <= t) two-tail 4.29E−07 1.03E−071.35E−06 Average Leaf Width as a % of 62 65 68 RQ

Example 6 Demonstration of the Relative Uniformity in Height, Width andHeight to 1 st Flower in ‘Rose Queen’ (RQ), ‘White Queen’ (WQ) and‘Violet Queen’ (VQ)

[0063] Field measurements were taken for plant height, width, and heightat first flower at maturity. Measurements were made on ten randomsamples taken from populations of the above lines as shown in Tables6-8. TABLE 6 Cleome t-Tests - Height of commercial Varieties t-Test:Two-Sample Assuming Unequal Variances - measurements in inches RQ WQ RQVQ Mean 63.3 63.4 63.3 67.5 Variance 2.2333 4.7111 2.2333 21.3889Observations 10 10 10 10 Hypothesized Mean Difference 0 0 df 16 11 tStat −0.12 −2.7327 P(T <= t) two-tail 0.9060 0.0195

[0064] TABLE 7 Cleome t-Tests - Width of Commercial Varieties t-Test:Two-Sample Assuming Unequal Variances - measurements in inches RQ WQ RQVQ Mean 46.3 46 46.3 52.2 Variance 37.3444 31.7778 37.3444 69.0667Observations 10 10 10 10 Hypothesized Mean Difference 0 0 df 18 17 tStat 0.1141 −1.8087 P(T <= t) two-tail 0.9104 0.0882

[0065] TABLE 8 Cleome t-Tests - Height to 1st Flower of CommercialVarieties t-Test: Two-Sample Assuming Unequal Variances - measurementsin inches RQ WQ RQ VQ Mean 31.7 29.9 31.7 32.7 Variance 11.7889 11.877811.7889 6.6778 Observations 10 10 10 10 Hypothesized Mean Difference 0 0Df 18 18 T Stat 1.1700 1.1700 P(T <= t) two-tail 0.2572 0.2572

Deposit Information

[0066] Cleome seeds containing the H35 mutant allele have been placed ondeposit with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), 10801University Boulevard, Manassas, Va. 20110-2209 on Sep. 25, 2001 andhaving Deposit Accession Number ______.

[0067] Although the foregoing invention has been described in somedetail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity andunderstanding, it will be obvious that certain changes and modificationsmay be practiced within the scope of the invention, as limited only bythe scope of the appended claims.

1. A cleome seed containing an allele for dwarfism, wherein said seedhas a pedigree which includes the H35.
 2. The cleome seed of claim 1,wherein said seed contains a recessive allele for dwarfism designatedH35 and wherein seed containing said allele for dwarfism has beendeposited under ATCC Accession No. ______.
 3. A dwarf cleome plantproduced by growing the seed of claim
 1. 4. The cleome plant of claim 3,wherein said plant has a compact growth habit.
 5. Pollen of the plant ofclaim 3
 6. An ovule of the plant of claim
 3. 7. A tissue culturecomprising regenerable cells of the plant of claim
 3. 8. A cleome plantregenerated from said tissue culture of claim
 7. 9. A method forproducing F1 hybrid cleome seed comprising crossing a first parentcleome plant with a second parent cleome plant and harvesting theresultant F1 hybrid cleome seed, wherein first or second parent cleomeseed is the cleome of claim
 3. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein saidcleome plant of claim 3 is the female plant.
 11. The method of claim 9,wherein said cleome plant of claim 3 is the male plant.
 12. A firstgeneration (F1) hybrid cleome plant produced by growing said hybridcleome seed of claim
 9. 13. Viable cleome seeds and plants andsucceeding generations thereof grown from seeds deposited under ATCCAccession No. ______ and cleome plants to which the dwarfism allele istransferred from said deposited seeds in succeeding generations thereof.14. A cleome inbred plant having a mature plant height of less than 35inches when said plant is produced under field conditions.
 15. A cleomeplant having a mature plant height of less than 45 inches when saidplant is produced under field conditions.
 16. The cleome plant of claim15, wherein said plant is a hybrid.